Junior midfielder Christina Ricciardulli was named MPSF Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Feb. 17, 2014

WOODLAND, Calif. -
San Diego State women's lacrosse junior midfielder Christina Ricciardulli (Poway, Calif.) was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

The junior recorded a team-high five draw controls with two groundballs, two caused turnovers, and also scored a goal in the Aztecs' season-opening road victory over Davidson, 11-10, on Sunday afternoon. The midfielder was a big reason SDSU out-shot the Wildcats 23-21, and held Davidson to only three goals in the first half.

In addition, Ricciardulli's second-half goal on a free-position shot ended Davidson's three-point scoring spurt, and was one of only two goals San Diego State recorded in the second half of the win.

The Poway, Calif., native and Poway High graduate was a 2013 all-MPSF second-team selection, finishing with team highs in groundballs (25) and caused turnovers (14), while finishing second on the team with 35 draw controls. Ricciardulli also scored 23 goals a season ago, which was fourth on the team, and was sixth on the squad with 27 total points.

The Aztecs (2-0) return to action on Friday, Feb. 28, as they begin MPSF play on the road at California, beginning at 7 p.m. PT.